The City of Whitewater Parks and Recreation Department has announced that it will be hosting “Freeze Fest.”
The event, which was placed on pause in 2020, will return Saturday, March 18, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Held in Whitewater’s Cravath Lakefront Park, the event will include a chili cook-off, polar plunge, live music, and hot cocoa, among other activities, according to information released by city officials.
The multi-activity event encourages participants to be “Freezin’ for a Reason,” the release noted, with proceeds used to support Special Olympics of Wisconsin Athletes and Whitewater’s Seniors in the Park program.
Whitewater polar plunge participants raised $54,000 and $67,056 in 2019 and 2020, respectively, the release stated, adding that Whitewater is one of eight locations participating in a polar plunge event statewide.
The year, statewide organizers have set a goal of $200,000.
According to the release, participants in this year’s plunge can expect to find an 18,000-gallon pool filled with water. Registration during the day of the event will be open between 8:30 and 10:30 a.m.
Participants may also register online through the following link: https://polarplungewi.org/locations/whitewater/.
The plunge itself will follow an 11 a.m. opening ceremony.
Those interested in enjoying chili will be served by cook-off participants beginning at 11 a.m., with judging of chili entries held in the polar plunge warming tent beginning at 11:30 a.m.
The first 12 entries will be included in the cook-off, the release stated. A first-place winner will receive bragging rights, a traveling trophy, and gift certificates, and the runner-up will win gift certificates, the release noted.
A “People’s Choice” chili winner will be named and an award for the best decorated table will be presented.
To register for the chili cook-off, visit: wwparks.org, Class #6224.11, call 262-473-0535, or email jfrench@whitewater-wi.gov. There is no entry fee, the release continued.
“We are excited to have our Freeze Fest back after a two-year absence. Whether you are there to take the plunge to raise money for Special Olympics, or partake in the chili cook-off, it is always great to see everyone enjoying the event. This year’s event is in March rather than February, making it possibly a touch warmer for everyone,” Eric Boettcher, Whitewater Parks and Recreation Department director, was quoted as saying in the release.
“Freeze Fest is a great opportunity to bring our community together while supporting a great cause. Whether you would like to take the plunge, taste the chili, or stop by the event, we hope you will join us,” John Weidl, Whitewater city manager, noted in the release.
For more information about the event, visit www.wwparks.org.
A team of deputies from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department take the plunge during a previously held event. Whitewater’s Freeze Fest was paused in 2020. The event makes its return in March.
Judging by the expressions on their faces, members of the Whitewater Police Department found water in the Freeze Fest plunge tank cold. The event will once again take place in March; it has been paused since 2020.
A group of University of Wisconsin-Whitewater students take the plunge.
Christopher Cohen displays his “Sweat Heat Chili.” The offering was among entries at a previously held Freeze Fest event. Contributed photos.
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